2015

2016

E&H Contributes to Efforts to Bring Appalachian Music to Schools

The Appalachian Studies Association has honored an Independence, Va. organization that involves the efforts of current and former Emory & Henry College students in bringing traditional Appalachian music into public schools.

The ASA presented its e-Appalachia Award to Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) during its annual awards ceremony in Boone, N.C.

One E&H graduate and three current students have worked on projects that have helped JAM pursue its objectives of bringing regional music to schools in Southwest Virginia.

Brett Morris, a member of the E&H Class of 2008 who graduated with a degree in public policy and community service, designed the website for the organization. Two current students, Anne Marie McLean of Reva and John Bench of Abingdon, have assisted JAM through their work as part of an E&H class in applied civic methodologies, while another student, Brian Stanley of Fieldale, supported JAM as part of a capstone project in public policy and community service.

Attendees at the conference were treated to two presentations featuring seniors in the E&H program in public policy and community service.

Tim Grunstra of Bristol, Va. co-presented with E&H professor Annalisa Raymer on the process to design, plan and build a fireplace near an E&H residence hall, Weaver Hall.

Honors students Mary Beth Tignor of Lebanon and Brianne Smalley of Burke presented an honors theses and capstone project entitled “Deepening and Broadening the Creative Economy of Southwest Virginia.” The project was derived from a presentation the students made in Washington, D.C. to the Appalachian Regional Commission in December 2012.